Flash-light apparatus for cameras.



BEST

A. E. WALLAGE.

FLASH LIGHT APPARATUS FOR CAMERAS APPLICATION FILED FEB.6, 1912.

Patented Oct. 29, 1912.

In ventor:

ANSEL E. WALLACE, OF EVANSVILLE, INDIANA.

- FLASH-LIGHT APPARATUS FOR CAMERAS.

Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed February 6, 1912. Serial 1a. 675,814.

Patented Oct. 29, 1912.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ANSEL E. WALLACE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Evansville, in the county of Vanderburg and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Flash- Light Apparatus for Cameras, of which. the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings, which form a part thereof.

My invention relates to flash-light apparatus for cameras, and more particularly to a type the-reof,wherein the charge of flashlight powder is ignited through the closing of an electric circuit.

In flash-light work with cameras, it is difficult, almost to the point of being impossible to secure a flash-light exposure of subjects in motion, owing to the necessity for igniting the powder at an instant determined by means of the finder or ground glass. With set'pic'tures, this difficulty is not present, but when snap shots must be relied upon, particularly as in newspaper work, where the subject is frequently unaware of the taking of the picture, this difficulty has heretofore been. found insurmountable.

With these conditions in mind, the main object of the invention is to provide a flashlight apparatus of this character wherein the means controlling the electrical. circuit may be mounted upon the camera and will be under the control of the'shutter relea rg mechanism in order to secure the pr per timing of the ignition of the charge of powder and the exposure of the plate.

A further object is to provide an apparatus of this character especially adapted for use with cameras of the focal plane shutter type, and one wherein the make and break mechanism of the ignition circuit will be capable of being actuated through the movement of the finder or mirror, thus under all conditions causing the closing of the circuit prior to the tripping of the shutter so as to permit that short interval of time to elapse between the closing of the circuit, and the ignition of the flash powder thereby, and the exposure of the plate.

A still further object is to provide in conjunction with such an apparatus, means whereby the contacts of the make and break mechanism may be adjusted so as to accu rately time the ignition of the flash powder, or to adapt the machine to powders having I different characteristics, such adjustment being accomplished without varying or interfering with the operation of the finder or mirror.

A still further object is to provide means for preventing the accidental ignition of the charge of explosive flash powder. I A still further object is to provide an apparatus of this character which, when not in use, may be compacted in a manner to be conveniently carried by the photographer.

A still further object is to provide an apparatus of this character wherein the conditions of use will be the same as with the ordinary camera, the make and break mechanism being so constructed and arranged as to place no load upon the shutter spring, thus enabling the photographer to take a snap shot photograph of any subject in motion and secure a negative corresponding in every detail with the image upon the finder at the moment determined by the photographer. And a still further object is to provide an apparatus of this character which will involve no complicated mechanism, which will be reliable and positive in its operation, and which may be readily applied to a camera.

The invention consists primarily in a flash'light apparatus for cameras, embodying therein a flash pan, electrical terminals carried thereby, a shutter trip mechanism, an oscillatory lever adapted to actuate said mechanism, an electrical contact adjacent to said lever and adapted to be engaged thereby, and an electrical circuit including therein said terminals, said lever and said contact, whereby said lever will when actuated engage said contact and close said circuit, and actuate said shutter trip mechanism; and in such other novel features of construction and combination of parts as are hereinafter set forth and described and more particularly pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

Referring to the drawings :Figure 1 is a side elevation of a focal plane shutter camera, embodying my invention, a portion thereof being broken away to disclose the batteries and flash pan mount; and Fig. 2 is a detail view on a large scale, of the make and break mechanism.

Like letters refer to like parts, throughout. both of the said views.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, a indicates an ordinary camera box havin tube 6 and provi ed with an osc1llatory an ordinary focusing finder or mirror 0, indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1.

The type of camera shown in the drawings is a well known commercial type, the operation of which is old and well known in the art, and a detailed description thereof will not be entered into except in so far as is necessary to disclose the mode of operation of my invention.- In this type of camera, the mirror a normally occupies'a position extending across the sight opening, and the shutter is back of said mirror and is released only when this mirror has reached a horizontal position so as to leave a clear field between the shutter and the lens. The shutter is setby means of the stud d, and the mirror 0 by means of the oscillatory lever c, said stud and said lever being carried by a metallic plate f. Carried by said plate f, and adjacent to said lever e is a trip mechanism 9 actuated upon the limit of the oscillatory movement of said lever to release the shutter mechanism. Hence the lever e is operative upon the shutter trip mechanism only toward the limit of its movement, or when the mirror 0 has reached a substantially horizontal position. The mirror c'is held in the inclined position across the sight opening as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, by a latch, controlled by a press button, neither of which mechanisms are shown in the accompanying drawings as theyare old and well known in this art. With this type of camera, no exposure can be made until the mirror has been raised, and when the mirror has once been raised, the shutter shade, with the sight slot therein, operates under its own spring which is independent of any other mechanism in the camera.

Carried by the camera is an ordinary dry battery h and adjacent thereto is a screw. threaded socketz' in which'is detachably mounted a telescopic or extensible I standard 7', carrying a flash pan k. Mounted upon the box a, and insulated from the plate f is a metallic bracket mhaving mounted therein an electrical contact adapted to be. engaged by the lever e prior to the actuation of the trip mechanism 9 by said lever.

To afford that interval of time requisite to insure the proper ignition of the flash powder in the pan is, prior to the release of the shutter, this contact is so constructed as to permit the closing of the circuitby the lever 6 before this lever has reached the position where it is operative upon said trip mechanism, this construction of the contact being such as to permit the movement of said lever subsequently to the closing of the contact. I also provide means whereby the contact mechanism may be so positioned as to accommodate it to different camera adjustments. This contact comprises a screw n adjustably mounted in the bracket mand having slidably mounted adjacent to the end thereof, a metallic sleeve 0 normally pressed outwardly by the spring 79. This s rin bein alwa s in tension affords an by means of which said screw may be set in any adjusted position. The flash pan is is provided with electrical terminals is It, one

1 of which k is in electrical contact with said Wired as to be included in the same electrical circuit.

One lead of the battery it is connected with the standard 7' and the other lead thereof with the bracket m. The plate 1 is connected with the terminal 70 by means of an insulated wire passing through and nested within the standard 7'. It will thus be observed that the only break in the circuit is between the lever e and the sleeve 0, said lever and said sleeve forming the oppositely disposed contacts of a make and break mechanism which is entirely independent of the shutter actuating mechanism, but is under the control of the shutter release lever. To avoid the accidental ignition of the charge of flash powder, I arrange in the circuit between the bracket m and the battery 72 an ordinary electrical switch 7*.

The operation of the herein described apparatus is substantially as follows :When it is desired to use the camera, the standard 9' is mounted in the socket z', a suitable fuse and a flash light powder are placed in the flash pan is and the terminals of said fuse are connected to the terminals 71: and 10 The lever e in-the meanwhile, has been oscillated to the left to the position shown in Fig.1, thus setting the mirror 0, and the shutter has been set by means of the stud (1. These parts being in readiness, the standard j is extended to the desired height and the camera is focused upon the subject, the photographer determining when the proper focus has been secured by means of the focusing tube 6 and mirror or finder 0. The

camera having been properly focused, it is 12. may be withdrawn.

tion,- whereupon by merely pushing the press button, the mirror or finder 0 is re leased and flies upwardly under the tension of its spring. This upward movement of the said mirror oscillates the lever e and as this lever approaches the limit of its oscillatory movement, it engages the sleeve -0, closing the electrical circuit, firing the fuse, and igniting'the powder in the pan k. The initial engagement of said lever with said sleeve closes the circuit, but it requires'the fractional part of a second to secure the proper ignition of the powder. It being necessary, in order to secure good results, that the plate should be exposed simultaneously with the interval of greatest luminosity following the ignition of the powder, that short interval of time required to secure proper ignition of the powder must be prior to the actuation of the trip mecha-' nism g. It will be observed that the flexible support-for the sleeve 0 projects this sleeve beyond the screw n to an extent to permit a movement ofthis sleeve with the-lever e after thecontact has been made, thus providing for the necessary interval of time between the closing'of the circuit, and-the ig nition of the powder and release of the shutter. After the engagement of the lever c with the sleeve 0' said lever continues its oscillatory movement, carrying with it said sleeve against the tension of the spring 7).

This spring being of light tension, does not retard this lever to any appreciable extent, but even if it did, it would not interfere with the operation of the shutter as the shutter itself is operated under its own spring and is merely dependent upon the mirror 0 to accomplish its release. As the lever e oscillates in the manner described, and substantially simultaneously with the completion of the oscillatory movement thereof, the trip mechanism 9 will be actuated to release the shutter mechanism causing said shutter to act in the usual manner to expose the plate, the interval between the 'initial contact of the lever 6 with the contact 0 andthe completion of the movement of said lever being suflicient to insure the ignition of the charge of powder prior to the exposure of the plate.

If it be found that the interval of time allowed is not sufiicient to secure the proper ignition of the powder, it is merely neces sary to release the lock nut g and advance the screw 12.; but if it be found that the ignition of the powder is premature, the screw By adjusting the screw 12, the exact moment of the'ignition of the powder may be controlled, so as to time it perfectly with the actuation of the shutter. This adjustment is adapted to accommodate the ignition mechanism to different adjustments of the camera, or to powder having different explosive qualities.

-niting the powder, being ass? AvaaAsLE cos;

When the camera is not to be used for maybe removed therefrom and'telescoped so as to occupy small space.

While the socket z is providedto facilitate the attachment of said standard j and flash pan kto the camera itself, if desired said standard and pan may be held in the hand, although where one photographer only is present, the attachment of these parts to the camera permits the use of both hands in the operation of the camera.

The herein described apparatus is especially adapted for use in taking photo graphs of moving subjects, as by means of the finder or mirror, when a subject is in any position the press button may be actuated and a snap shotsecured, the speed of the camera and of the closing of the circuit igso adjusted that the conditions are practically the same as with a daylight exposure.

In practice it has been found that flashlight snapshots may be made with a camera equipped with my apparatus with the same ease, and with results equally as good as daylight exposures.

While in practice I have found this attachment to be especially adapted for use in connection with cameras of the focal plane shutter type, it is not my intention to limit the invention to use in connection with any particular type of camera, it being apparent that with slight modifications it may be adapted for use in connection with 'various other types of cameras.

It is not my intention to limit the invention to the precise details of construction shown in the accompanying drawings, it being apparent that such may be varied without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to have protected by Letters Patent, is

1. A flash-light apparatus for cameras, embodying therein a flash pan, a shutter trip mechanism and an electrical circuit including therein electrical terminals carried by said flash pan, an oscillatory lever adapted to actuate said. trip mechanism, and an electrical contact adjacent to said lever and adapted to be engaged thereby, whereby said lever, when actuated, will engage said contact and close said circuit, and actuate said shutter trip mechanism.

2. A'flash-light apparatus for cameras, embodying therein a flash pan, a shutter trip mechanism and an electrical circuit including therein electrical terminals carried by said flash pan, an oscillatory lever adapted to actuate said trip mechanism, and a yielding electrical contact adjacent to said lever and adapted to be engaged thereby, whereby said lever, when actuated, will ena said lever.

gage said contact and close said circuit, and actuate said shutter trip mechanism.

3. A flash-light apparatus for cameras, embodying therein a flash pan, a shutter trip mechanism, an electrical circuit'including therein electrical terminals carried bysaid flash pan, an oscillatory lever adapted to actuatesaid trip mechanism, and an electrical cont ;ct ad acentito said lever and adapted to be engaged thereby, whereby" said. lever, when actuated, will engage said contact and close said circuit, and actuate said shutter trip mechanism and means whereby said contact may be adjusted relatively to 4. A flash-light apparatus for cameras, embodying therein a flash pan, a shutter tripmechanism, an electrical circuit includ-' ing therein electrical terminals carried by said flash pan, an oscillatory lever adapted to actuate said trip mechanism, and a y1elding electrical contact adjacent to said lever and adapted to be engaged thereby, whereby said lever, when actuated, will engage said contact and close said circuit, and actuate said shutter trip mechanism and means whereby said contact may be adjusted relatively to said lever. 5. A flash-light apparatus for cameras, embodying therein-a flash pan, a' shutter trip mechanism, and an electrical circuit including therein electrical terminals carried by said flash pan, an oscillatory lever adapt edto actuate said tripmechanism, an electrical contact adjacent to said lever and adapted to be-engaged thereby, whereby said lever, when actuated, will engage said contact and close said circuit, and actuate said shutter trip mechanism, and a supplemental make and breakmechanism arranged in said circuit.

6. A flash-light apparatus for cameras, embodying therein a' flash pan, a. shutter trip mechanism, an oscillatorymirror' or finder, an electrical circuit including therein electrical terminals carried by said flash pan, 'a lever actuated by said mirror or finder and adapted to actuate said trip nzechanism, and an electrical contact adjacent to said lever and adapted to be engaged thereby, whereby said lever, when actuated, will engage said contact and close said circuit,- and actuate said sh utter trip mechanism.

' 7; A flash-light apparatus for cameras embodying therein a flash pan, a shutter trip mechanism, an oscillatory mirror or finder, anelectrical circuit including therein electrical terminals carried by said flash pan, a lever actuated by said mirror or finder and adapted to actuate said trip mechanism, and a yielding electrical contact adjacent to said lever and adapted to be engaged thereby, whereby said lever, when actuated, will engage said contact and close said circuit, and actuate said shutter trip mechanism.

8; A flash-light apparatus for cameras,

embodying therein a flash pan, a shutter trip mechanism, an oscillatory mirror or finder, an electrical circuit including therein electrical terminals carried by said flash pan, a lever actuated by said mirror or finder and adapted to actuate said trip mechanism, and an electrical contact adjacent to said lever and adapted .to be engaged thereby, whereby said lever, when'actuated, will engage said contact and close said circuit, and actuate said shutter trip mechanism, and means whereby said contact may be adjusted relatively to said lever. l

9. A flash-light apparatus for cameras, embodying therein a flash pan, a shutter trip mechanism, an oscillatory mirror or finder, anielectrical circuit including therein electrical terminals carried by saidflash pan, a lever actuated by said mirror or finder and adapted to actuate said trip mechanism, and: a yielding electrical contact adjacent to said lever and adapted to be engaged thereby, whereby said lever, when actuated, will engage said contact and close said circuit, and actuate said shutter trip mechanism, and means whereby said contact may be adjusted relatively to said lever.

10. A flash-light apparatus for cameras, embodying therein a flashpan, a shutter controlling mechanism, and an electrical circuit including therein electrical terminals carried by said flash pan, an electrieal contact adjacent thereto comprising a support, a sleeve slidably mounted thereon, and a spring normally thrusting said sleeve beyond said support, said sleeve being adapted to be engaged by said shutter controlling mechanism. i

11. Aflash-light apparatus for cameras, embodying therein a flash pan, a shutter controlling mechanism, and an electrical circuit including therein electrical terminals carried by said flash pan, an electrical contact adjacent thereto comprising a support adjustable relatively to. saidshutter controlling mechanism, a sleeve slidably mounted thereon, and a spring normally thrusting said sleeve beyond said support, said sleeve being adapted to be engaged by said shutter controlling mechanism. 7

12. A tlash-light-apparatus for cameras,

embodying therein a flash pan, a shutter mechanism, and an electrical circuit includin therein electrical terminals carried by sai flash pan, an oscillatory lever adapted to actuate said trip mechanism, and an electrical contact adjacent to said lever and adapted to be engaged thereby, whereby said lever, when actuated, will engage said contact and close said circuit, and actuate said shutter trip mechanism.

14. A flash-light apparatus for cameras, embodying therein an extensible standard, means whereby said standard may be detachably mounted upon a camera, a flash pan carried by said standard, a shutter trip mechanism, and an electrical circuit including therein electrical treminals carried by said flash pan, an oscillatory lever adapted to actuate said trip mechanism, and an electrical contact adjacent to said lever and adapted to be engaged thereby, whereby said lever, when actuated, will engage said contact and close said circuit, and actuate said shutter trip mechanism.

In witness whereof,I have hereunto aflixed my signature, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, this 31st day of January, 1912.

ANSEL E. WALLACE. Witnesses: Orro MUNK,

F. T. WENTWORTH. 

